Dave Checketts gave birth to the Real Salt Lake franchise in 2004, got a state-of-the-art stadium built in 2008, made the club one of MLS’ anchor members and is now moving on to other pursuits.

Checketts on Thursday announced that he has sold his stake in the club to minority owner Dell Loy Hansen.

Hansen, a real-estate mogul and Utah native with holdings in excess of $1.2 billion, purchased a 49 percent stake in the club and stadium (plus an AM radio station) in November 2009 and now will become the sole owner of the club.

“Just over three years ago, I was very proud to join Dave Checketts in the world of Real Salt Lake and Major League Soccer,” Hansen said in a statement. “Today, the chance to further deepen my participation in the growth of professional soccer in North America is incredibly exciting.

“My enthusiasm for this sport started long ago with my family, and now I am proud that our investment now includes the entire Real Salt Lake family -- starting with our incredible fan base -- as we work together representing the great State of Utah.”

According to the New York Times, Checketts sold his stake to focus more of his time on his role as the chairman and CEO of Legends Sports Hospitality Management, a concessions, merchandising and ticketing company.

“The last eight years have been a labor of love,” Checketts said. ”When we started I made a promise to build something of meaning; something that people in my home state of Utah could be proud of.

“Real Salt Lake has become much more than a soccer team, and Rio Tinto Stadium much more than a venue. Each has become integrally woven into the fabric of this community and become beloved assets to the people here. It is a legacy that I will forever take pride in, and I am happy to leave it in local hands. I know that Dell Loy will be a tremendous caretaker for the Team, the Stadium and all that both represent.”

Said MLS commissioner Don Garber: “Dave was the first new expansion owner to commit to the league in 2004, and he worked tirelessly to establish RSL as a legitimate and successful regional sports brand and to secure the funding for the construction of Rio Tinto Stadium. Dave was new to the sport when he acquired the expansion team for Salt Lake City. And as anyone who attended a game with Dave knows, the entire Checketts family has grown to be enormously passionate about the sport, MLS and RSL.”